Samantha Morton: 'It's so important to support The Children’s Society this Christmas'

I am writing to ask you to help vulnerable young runaways by supporting the work of The Children's Society this Christmas. This is an issue that's very close to my heart because during my teenage years I lived on the streets and I was very lucky to survive.

Living on the streets leaves children like Rosie extremely vulnerable to adults who want to abuse them. It shocks me that so many children become homeless because when you're homeless you get drawn into crime, prostitution and drugs. It’s no way for any child to live especially at Christmas – and I know this from experience. That's why it’s so important to support The Children’s Society this Christmas and their work to help vulnerable runaways.

Most of my childhood was spent in care and I often ran away to escape abuse. I was lucky to find acting as a way out - it became my passion, giving me an outlet for my emotions during a very difficult time in my life. But not many children on the streets are so fortunate and some are forced to steal just so they can feed themselves. That’s why it’s so good to know The Children’s Society is there to help these children before it’s too late.